Building on a vibrant history and a shared vision
As construction begins to restore and re-purpose the former Gimbels-Schuster’s building on King Drive, we are excited to share our vision and progress with the community, and to thank all of you for your ideas, input and feedback. Our engagement with residents helped clarify the vision and shape the goals of this project from the start, and it continues to inform how space on the development’s first floor will be designed for community use and what additional partners may be engaged to provide expanded amenities to the neighborhood.
An Inspired Location
An Historic Renovation
- Nearly 400,000 square feet
- Offices for anchor tenants (GMF, MCW)
- First-floor community space
- Approximately 90 residential units
- Early childhood education space
A Vibrant Hub
ThriveOn King will feature community, commercial and residential space that offers new resources and opportunities to the neighborhood. The first floor of the building will house our tenant partners, Malaika Early Learning Center, JobsWork MKE and Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin, and will also feature community gathering space, public art, wellness space, healthy food options and more.
The administrative floors of the building will be home to the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s headquarters and to offices for multiple Medical College of Wisconsin centers, programs and institutes.
The Health Equity Scholars Program (HESP) is a four-year health equity training track for medical students enrolled on the Medical College of Wisconsin-Milwaukee campus, aimed at addressing health and health care disparities in Wisconsin and Milwaukee's shortage of physicians. These students will have the opportunity to be part of a Learning Community residing in the apartments in the ThriveOn King building. As neighborhood residents, they will develop first-hand knowledge of physical and recreational assets of these communities, develop social networks along with the expertise, practical skills and hands-on experience necessary for a productive and sustainable career in health equity. HESP will support these students’ growth into physician-leaders who can transform healthcare alongside the Milwaukee communities in which they serve.
A parking structure estimated to include more than 300 parking spaces is being developed for the southwestern corner of the property with community input. Its façade is being designed with greenery and/or public art in mind. ThriveOn will work with the city to maximize parking for neighborhood residents.
A key focus area for the ThriveOn Collaboration includes housing and investing in the availability of dignified and affordable housing for area residents. ThriveOn King is preparing to include approximately 90 units of mixed-income housing for families, seniors and students. The residential portion of the project is scheduled to be completed later in 2024. If you’re interested in being contacted about this, please email info@royalcapital.net.
ThriveOn King Public Artwork
Arts to Bring Inspiration and History to ThriveOn King
Over 20 acclaimed and home-grown artists will bring the history, heritage and culture of Bronzeville to life throughout the first floor of ThriveOn King. From tile to embroidery, painting to sculpture, the art of ThriveOn King will vary in size, medium and placement, but collectively, the works will immerse guests in the legacy, vibrancy and potential of Milwaukee’s Black community.
Neighborhood residents have emphasized the importance of art to the community and have helped lead plans to ensure its meaningful integration into ThriveOn King since the project’s inception. We are excited to see these inspirational works coming to life and to start showing the community how their perspective is being honored.
Check out the latest details, including featured artists and how they were selected, in our latest press release!
ThriveOn King Public Space Naming
Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future
Community residents, along with key ThriveOn Collaboration stakeholders and partners, have nominated past and present African American leaders for special recognition within the ThriveOn King building. Our partners in philanthropy are sponsoring prominent public spaces throughout ThriveOn King’s first floor to be identified and named after these esteemed leaders.
Together, these leaders have made, and continue to make, extraordinary contributions to the Black community, directly connected to the ThriveOn priorities of housing, early childhood care and education, wellness, community engagement and economic opportunity.
Look for details coming soon about all 48 inspirational leaders being honored.
Tour ThriveOn Collaboration Location
Take a tour through the space and learn about the vision for the ThriveOn King location.